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Mike; I'd agree with those stats as far as average sizes; I look at the number of decent (20+lb) fish caught vs. number of nights; way higher with eels.
As far as plugs; I agree w/ not carrying many that often, but mainly because I share your hatred (fear) of treble hooks at night!
My mindset is twofold Steve.
1. I think eels (or other live; scup, herring, pogies) are about as close to being 100% as you can be for getting a hit, if a hungry fish is in the area. Sometimes they don't work, but properly presented, they usually do BECAUSE they are live bait. Plugs need more presentation, finesse, and just general will of the fish to eat it than live bait...
2. I also fervently believe that live baits tend to cull out larger fish...
maybe because of size, or wariness of bigger fish, who knows, but many nights at outflows I have drifted eels among the crowd of pluggers and consistently pulled larger fish.
There are conditions I prefer wood/plastic. some outflows in a storm fish better with a darter or large swimmer. I think eels just can't be presented correctly in those conditions. but as someone who is after larger fish at the expense of numbers, I'll fish eels (live or rigged) 75% or more of the time..
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